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In a major move for their retooling roster, the Chicago White Sox have signed Japanese star Munetaka Murakami, agreeing to a two-year contract for the high-profile player.

Contract Details and Player Perks

The contract grants a $1 million signing bonus, to be paid within 30 days, in addition to annual pay of $16M for the next season and $17M for the final year.

Additionally, Murakami's compensation can increase based on award achievements in 2026:

• $1 million for being named the MVP award.
• $500K for finishing in the top three in MVP voting.
• $250K for placing between fourth and tenth.
• Another $250,000 for winning the Rookie of the Year honor.

His deal provides that he cannot be assigned to the minors without his consent and grants him a unrestricted player at the conclusion of the contract. Extra provisions include a dedicated interpreter and airfare between Japan and the U.S..

Compensation and Team Legacy

As part of the signing, Chicago must pay a transfer fee of over $6.5 million to the Yakult Swallows, Murakami's former team in Japan's Central League. The Swallows are also entitled to a additional payment of fifteen percent triggered salary escalators.

Murakami will become the fourth player from Japan to represent the South Siders, joining reliever Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), infielder Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and outfielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Of note, Takatsu once managed Murakami during their time in Japan.

Player Profile

Murakami, a left-handed hitter who turns 26 on February 2nd, bolsters a promising lineup in Chicago that also features prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The team are finished with a last-place season, finishing at the bottom in the American League Central but representing a notable improvement from the previous campaign.

A two-time Central League MVP honors in '21 and '22, Murakami is famous for a historic 2022 season where he hit 56 homers, breaking the all-time record for a player in Japan previously held by icon Sadaharu Oh. That year also made him the most youthful hitter ever to secure Japan's coveted Triple Crown.

His most recent NPB campaign was curtailed to 56 games due to an side strain. Even with fanning 64 Ks, he still managed .273 with 22 home runs and 47 driven in.

Over his eight-year tenure with the Swallows, Murakami has accumulated a .270 batting average with 246 home runs, 647 runs batted in, and nearly 1,000 strikeouts in 892 contests. Initially playing mainly at first base, he has spent most of his time to the hot corner.

Global Stage Success

Murakami's clutch hitting were on full display during the last World Baseball Classic. In the penultimate game against Mexico, he drove in a victory-sealing double that brought home Shohei Ohtani and Masataka Yoshida for a dramatic one-run win. The very next day in the final against the Team USA, he hit a equalizing shot in the second inning, setting the stage for Japan's 3-2 title triumph.

The lefty slugger is set to be officially presented at a introductory event on Monday.